Dellner’s products can be found on all continents and in all types of railroad cars, but competition is tough. There is constant pressure to continuously develop better, safer and more efficient equipment.
“That’s one reason why we wanted a development project where our product developers, steel specialists at SSAB and one or more train makers, could join forces,” says Bo Dagvall, head of technical systems at Dellner. “There are lots of examples that demonstrate such investments can deliver amazing results – just look at today’s automobiles.”
It is no surprise that he uses the auto industry as an example, since that is where SSAB actively pursues the development of effective, passive protection systems. Its Domex structural steel absorbs energy and ensures a stable chassis.
This fall will see Dellner continue development of its D-BOX concept, an integrated safety system for rail transportation
traffic.
“The key benefits with D-BOX are that the parts involved create a holistic solution that solves both small and major problems for traffic corporations,” explains Fredrik Lundberg, key account manager at Dellner.
Above all, it is about ensuring passengers do not suffer injury in the event of an accident. The key to success is to combine the energy absorption element with a stable inner construction, which protects travelers.
“It costs a lot if a train is affected by chassis damage during a collision,” says Lundberg.
“That’s why our concept contains energy-damping modules that are so effective that they can take the entire impact at slightly lower speeds.”
The first step in the safety system comprises gas-hydraulic absorbers and/or rubber-based parts, which dampen lighter impacts. The forces resulting from bigger impacts are absorbed by deformation tubes and honeycomb parts that deform but protect the basic structure in the railroad car frame. After changing the damaged parts, the railroad car can be speedily put back into traffic again.
“The energy-absorbing characteristics of our Domex structural steel hugely benefit such components,” says Göran Uhlin, project manager at SSAB business development.
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